System, apparatus and method for single-channel or multi-channel terrestrial communication

ABSTRACT

A terrestrial radio system for delivering to consumers data transmission services, Internet services, two-way capabilities and single-channel or multi-channel video programming, including national, regional and local television broadcast signals, as well as an apparatus and method thereof. The terrestrial radio system transmits terrestrial signals at satellite-allocated frequencies while mitigating interference with satellite signals to reuse satellite-allocated frequencies.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application No.09/790,543 filed Feb. 23, 2001, now, U.S. Pat. No. 7,308,229, issuedDec. 11, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system, as well as an apparatus and amethod, for transmitting terrestrial signals to subscribers atsatellite-allocated frequencies with nominal or unnoticeableinterference to satellite signals transmitted at the same frequencies.Further, the present invention relates to a system, as well as anapparatus and method, for providing a return path for terrestrialsignals using a satellite uplink frequency to enable an two-waycommunication service. The system, apparatus and method of the inventionprovide data transmission services, Internet services and/orsingle-channel or multi-channel video programming, including national,regional and/or local television programming.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Radio signals may be transmitted from a terrestrial (or ground-based)transmitter or from a non-terrestrial transmitter, such as a satellite.Certain frequencies on the electromagnetic spectrum have been dedicatedto satellite transmissions, by international agreement. In the case ofdirect broadcast satellite service (“DBS”), for example, the 1985Regional Administrative Radio Conference ARC) of the InternationalTelecommunication Union established the spectrum for DBS at 17.3-17.8GHz for the uplink and 12.2-12.7 GHz for the downlink in ITU Region 2,the Western Hemisphere. In all, thirty-two frequencies were allotted ateach of eight orbital locations set aside for DBS in the United States.Significantly, the RARC also made provisions for the reuse of thesatellite-allocated frequencies. See Mead, Donald C., Direct BroadcastSatellite Communications, pages 21-22 (2000).

Public policy favors the fullest and most efficient use of spectrum.Reuse of satellite-allocated frequencies by a terrestrial system wouldprovide increased availability of video programming and data, as well asan alternative to cable and satellite systems. Accordingly, aterrestrial wireless system capable of transmitting multiple channels ofbroadband data and video to homes and places of business and/orproviding a return link for data and video would be very useful.Previous approaches for increasing availability of video and broadbanddata have involved satellite reception of video and broadband data incombination with reception of video and broadband data from othersources. Such system are either inefficient or entirely ineffective.

For example, Armbruster, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,194, discloses aterrestrial and satellite television reception tuner which is used incommon for both one-way terrestrial and satellite television reception.The tuner incorporates a second mixing stage which is switched as amixer for signal conversion into a second intermediate frequency duringterrestrial television reception and is switched as a component of aFM-PLL demodulator during satellite television reception. The tuner isdisclosed as being particularly suitable for television receivers andvideo recorders which receive signals from both terrestrialantenna-signal source and from a satellite antenna-signal source.

Do, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,187, discloses a device for receiving aone-way digital broadcasting satellite (DBS) signal, which includes acontroller for generating a first signal for selecting a program guidesignal included in a DBS signal and a second signal for selecting one ofa plurality of programs which are included in the program guide signal,in response to input of certain key signals, a decoder for decoding theprogram guide signal in response to the first signal, a storing unit forseparating and storing the decoded program guide signals as positiondata, channel data and video data, a signal compressing unit forcompressing the video data corresponding the second signal, a mixer formixing the decoded program guide signal as a main screen signal with thecompressed video data as a sub-screen signal, and a display unit fordisplaying the signal mixed by the mixer. The device is disclosed asreceiving a DBS signal and a TV signal.

Tawil, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,483,663, discloses an apparatus for receivingone-way local programming and direct broadcast satellite transmissions,which includes receiver for receiving converted local channel signals ina first frequency band. Tawil discloses that the first frequency band iscontained within a satellite broadcast frequency band in which thedirect broadcast satellite signals are transmitted. Specifically, theapparatus disclosed by Tawil includes at each user or subscriberlocation, a first antenna for receiving the converted local channelsignals from a terrestrial transmitter and a second antenna forreceiving direct broadcast satellite channel signals from a satellite.The disclosed apparatus further includes a combiner for combining theconverted local channel signals in the direct broadcast satellitechannel signals on a single propagation path. A signal processor/decoderprocesses the combined signals on the single propagation path to producea desired channel output to drive a television set. It is disclosed thatto the processor/decoder the combined channel signal appears as if ithad been all broadcast directly from the satellite and therefore, theapparatus requires no additional receiver for receiving localprogramming alone with regional and national programming received viasatellite.

Tawil et al., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,761,605 and 6,169,878, disclose anapparatus and method for simultaneously receiving one-way satellite andterrestrial signals. The disclosed apparatus includes a first antenna ata user location which receives signals at a first frequency where thesignals are traveling only within a first directional reception range asmeasured from a centerline of the first antenna. The first antenna hasits centerline aligned to receive direct broadcast satellite signalstransmitted from a satellite in geostationary satellite orbit about theearth. A second antenna is disclosed as being at the user location toreceive signals at the first frequency where the signals are travelingonly within a second directional reception range as measured from acenterline of the second antenna. Further, the second antenna is alignedto receive signals transmitted at the first frequency from a terrestrialtransmitting location remote from the user location. According to thereference, a satellite's position is such with respect to the userlocation that the satellite transmits directionally in directionsoutside of the directional reception range of the second antenna.

Wild et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,480, disclose a method and apparatusfor managing service accessibility between differing radiotelecommunications networks. The disclosed method allows a network and amulti-network system to obtain access information for a subscriber unit.The method involves requesting access information from an access serverwhich determines whether a group to which the subscriber unit belongscan access the network or other networks from the subscriber unitlocation. The reference discloses the applicability of the network andapparatus in enabling hand-offs between overlapping networks. Inparticular, FIG. 2 illustrates a satellite cellular foot print with anoverlapping terrestrial cellular foot print. The disclosed cellularsatellite foot print is STET by satellite and includes satellite cellswhile the terrestrial cellular foot print is projected by terrestrialantenna and includes terrestrial cells.

Martinez et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,046, disclose a method andapparatus for spectrum sharing between one-way satellite and terrestrialbroadcasting services using temporal spatial synchronization. Thedisclosed system and method uses time division multiple access betweentwo types of service providers to achieve synchronization. The referencediscloses that satellite and terrestrial broadcasting services areassigned geographic cell boundaries to prevent conflicting simultaneoususe of allocated spectrum. The spatial synchronization of cellboundaries can occur before hand by agreement between the users of thesatellite and terrestrial services. This spatial synchronization mayconform to geographic as well as political boundaries. In the disclosedsystem, satellite and terrestrial services are assigned time slots touse a given spectrum within a given area. Methods are also disclosed forsynchronizing the time slots to prevent interference between theservices.

Sakashita et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,939,789, discloses a signalreceiver for terrestrial and satellite broadcasting. The disclosedsignal receiver is capable of receiving and demodulating a satellitebroadcasting signal which is an FM signal and a terrestrial broadcastingsignal which is an AM signal. FM and AM signals are frequency-convertedinto signals having frequencies in a same intermediate frequency band bymaking common use of a radio frequency amplifier, a mixer, a localoscillator and an intermediate frequency filter. At the time ofreception of an FM signal, the FM signal is demodulated in aphase-locked loop circuit, and a local oscillator is subjected tofrequency modulation by a part of the demodulated signal, therebyconstituting an FM negative feedback loop, and thus narrowing theoccupied bandwidth of the FM signal. It is disclosed that at the time ofreception of an FM signal, the phase-locked loop circuit is used toregenerate a carrier, and the output signal of the phase-locked loopcircuit is input to a multiplier to affect synchronous detection of theinput signal. It is further disclosed that at this time, the FM negativefeedback to the local oscillator is utilized to affect automaticfrequency control, thereby achieving stabilization of this synchronousdetection.

The sharing of frequency bands between satellite and terrestrialstations has also been addressed. For example, the feasibility offrequency sharing between an earth station and a collocated radio relaystation used for interconnection to the earth station has beenaddressed. See Potts, James B., “Feasibility of collocating a radiorelay station with a sharing earth station”, COMSAT Technical Review,Vol. 2, No. 1, pages 205-219 (Spring 1972). According to Potts, theinterference condition that results from collocation are tolerable, andsince they are controlled by free space propagation, one can calculatethe actual interference levels rather simply with a high degree ofconfidence. Potts discloses that it may also be feasible for the earthstation to transmit in the shared frequency band. However, even if aviable system for combining satellite service with local programming isachieved, such a system generally requires additional complex andexpensive equipment which undermines the economic feasibility of thesystem. Further, satellite systems such as DBS, occupy a portion of theelectromagnetic spectrum which would otherwise be available forterrestrial signal transmissions. Given the limited availablefrequencies for terrestrial signal transmissions on the electromagneticspectrum, as well as the advantages of avoiding the need for complex andcostly receiving equipment, it would be desirable to provide aterrestrial radio system which would provide all of the national orregional television programming, such as that available typically onlythrough satellite services, along with local television programming.Further, it would be desirable to have a terrestrial radio system whichprovides consumers with data transmission services, Internet servicesand two-way capabilities. Moreover, it would be desirable to provide aterrestrial radio system which reuses satellite-allocated frequencieswithout causing interference to satellite signals simultaneouslytransmitted at the same frequencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a terrestrial radio system, as well as anapparatus and method, for delivering to consumers data transmissionservices (e.g., broadband data), Internet services and single-channel ormulti-channel video programming, including national, regional and localtelevision broadcast signals. The present invention provides terrestrialsignals at satellite-allocated frequencies while mitigating interferencewith signals transmitted from satellites, including signals transmittedsimultaneously at the same frequencies from satellites. Further, thepresent invention provides two-way capabilities, such as interactivetelevision.

One embodiment of the present invention is a single-channel ormulti-channel system for transmitting terrestrial signals to asubscriber from a provider site, which comprises: adirectionalterrestrial antenna at the provider site for transmitting terrestrialsignals at a satellite-allocated frequency selected to mitigateinterference with non-terrestrial signals; a subscriber antenna at asubscriber location for receiving the terrestrial signals transmittedfrom the directional terrestrial antenna, and processing means at thesubscriber location for processing the terrestrial signals into anoutput.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a single-channel ormulti-channel system for transmitting terrestrial signals to asubscriber from a provider site, which comprises: a directionalterrestrial antenna at the provider site for transmitting terrestrialsignals to the subscriber at a satellite-allocated frequency; asubscriber antenna at a subscriber location for receiving theterrestrial signals transmitted from the directional terrestrialantenna, said subscriber antenna and said directional terrestrialantenna being aligned to mitigate interference with satellite signals;and processing means at the subscriber location for processing theterrestrial signals into an output.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a single-channel ormulti-channel system for transmitting terrestrial signals to asubscriber from a provider site, which comprises: a directionalterrestrial antenna at the provider site for transmitting terrestrialsignals at a first satellite-allocated frequency; a first subscriberantenna at a subscriber location for receiving the terrestrial signalstransmitted from the directional terrestrial antenna at the firstsatellite-allocated frequency; a second subscriber antenna at thesubscriber location for receiving satellite signals at a secondsatellite-allocated frequency; said second satellite allocated frequencybeing different from said first satellite-allocated frequency; andprocessing means at the subscriber location for processing theterrestrial signals and the satellite signals into an output.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a single-channel ormulti-channel system for transmitting terrestrial signals to asubscriber from a provider site, which comprises: a directionalterrestrial antenna at the provider site for transmitting terrestrialsignals at a first satellite-allocated frequency; a first subscriberantenna at a subscriber location for receiving the terrestrial signalstransmitted from the directional terrestrial antenna at the firstsatellite-allocated frequency; a second subscriber antenna at thesubscriber location for receiving satellite signals at a secondsatellite-allocated frequency; said second satellite-allocated frequencybeing different from said first satellite-allocated frequency;processing means at the subscriber location for separately directing theterrestrial signals and the satellite signals to a receiver; andselection means at the receiver for selecting a channel from theterrestrial signals and the satellite signals to provide an output.

A still further embodiment of the present invention is a single-channelor multi-channel system for transmitting terrestrial signals to asubscriber from a provider site, which comprises: a directionalterrestrial antenna with a main axis of radiation directed generallysouthward at the provider site for transmitting terrestrial signals at afirst satellite-allocated frequency and a second satellite allocatedfrequency, said second satellite-allocated frequency being differentfrom said first satellite-allocated frequency; a subscriber antenna atthe subscriber location for receiving the terrestrial signalstransmitted from the directional terrestrial antenna at the firstsatellite-allocated frequency and the second satellite-allocatedfrequency; and processing means for processing said terrestrial signalsinto an output.

An even further embodiment of the present invention is a single-channelor multi-channel system for transmitting terrestrial signals to asubscriber from a provider site, which comprises: a directionalterrestrial antenna with a main axis of radiation directed generallysouthward at the provider site for transmitting terrestrial signals at asatellite-allocated frequency; a first subscriber antenna at thesubscriber location aligned in the northward direction for receiving theterrestrial signals transmitted from the directional terrestrial antennaat the satellite-allocated frequency; a second subscriber antenna at thesubscriber location aligned in the generally southward direction forreceiving satellite signals transmitted at the satellite-allocatedfrequency; disabling means which disables a first feed from the firstsubscriber antenna or a second feed from the second subscriber antennain response to selection by the subscriber of a channel from a pluralityof channels, said disabling means thereby preventing simultaneoustransmission of terrestrial signals and satellite signals to thesubscriber; and processing means at the subscriber location forprocessing the terrestrial signals or the satellite signals into anoutput.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a single-channel ormulti-channel system for receiving terrestrial signals at a providersite from a subscriber, which comprises: a subscriber antenna at asubscriber location for transmitting the terrestrial signals to theprovider site at a satellite-allocated frequency selected to mitigateinterference with non-terrestrial signals; a directional terrestrialantenna at the provider site for receiving the terrestrial signals atthe satellite-allocated frequency selected to mitigate interference withnon-terrestrial signals; and processing means at the provider site forprocessing the terrestrial signals into an output.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is a single-channel ormulti-channel system for receiving terrestrial signals at a providersite from a subscriber, which comprises: a subscriber antenna at asubscriber location for transmitting the terrestrial signals at asatellite-allocated frequency to the provider site; a directionalterrestrial antenna at the provider site for receiving the terrestrialsignals from the subscriber at the satellite-allocated frequency; saidsubscriber antenna and said directional terrestrial antenna beingaligned to mitigate interference with satellite signals; and processingmeans at the provider site for processing the terrestrial signals intoan output.

A still further embodiment of the present invention is a single-channelor multi-channel system for receiving terrestrial signals at a providersite from a subscriber, which comprises: a subscriber antenna at asubscriber location with a main axis of radiation directed northward fortransmitting terrestrial signals to the provider site at a firstsatellite-allocated frequency and a second satellite-allocatedfrequency, said second satellite-allocated frequency being differentfrom said first satellite-allocated frequency; a directional terrestrialantenna at the provider site for receiving terrestrial signals at thefirst satellite-allocated frequency and the second satellite allocatedfrequency; and processing means at the provider site for processing saidterrestrial signals into an output.

An even further embodiment of the present invention is a single-channelor multi-channel system for transmitting terrestrial signals from aprimary provider site to a secondary provider site, which comprises: aprimary directional terrestrial antenna at the primary provider site fortransmitting terrestrial signals at a satellite-allocated frequency tothe secondary provider site; and a secondary directional terrestrialantenna at the secondary provider site for receiving the terrestrialsignals at the satellite-allocated frequency from the primarydirectional terrestrial antenna, said primary directional terrestrialantenna and said secondary directional terrestrial antenna being alignedto mitigate interference with satellite signals.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a single-channel ormulti-channel system for transmitting terrestrial signals to asubscriber, which comprises: means for transmitting the terrestrialsignals to the subscriber at a satellite-allocated frequency from aprovider site without interfering with satellite signals; and means forreceiving the terrestrial signals at the satellite-allocated frequencyat a subscriber location; and means for processing the terrestrialsignals into an output at the subscriber location.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for transmittingterrestrial signals to a subscriber or a plurality of subscribers from aprovider site to provide single-channel or multi-channel videoprogramming or data, comprising: transmitting terrestrial signals from adirectional terrestrial antenna at the provider site at asatellite-allocated frequency selected to mitigate interference withnon-terrestrial signals; receiving at a subscriber antenna at asubscriber location the terrestrial signals transmitted from thedirectional terrestrial antenna; and processing at the subscriberlocation the terrestrial signals into an output.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is a method fortransmitting terrestrial signals to a subscriber from a provider site,comprising: transmitting terrestrial signals at a satellite-allocatedfrequency from a directional terrestrial antenna at the provider site;receiving at a subscriber antenna at a subscriber location theterrestrial signals transmitted from the directional terrestrialantenna, said subscriber antenna and said directional terrestrialantenna being aligned to mitigate interference with satellite signals;and processing at the subscriber location the terrestrial signals intoan output.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a method fortransmitting terrestrial signals to a subscriber from a provider site,comprising: transmitting terrestrial signals from a directionalterrestrial antenna at the provider site at a first satellite-allocatedfrequency; receiving at a first subscriber antenna at a subscriberlocation the terrestrial signals transmitted from the directionalterrestrial antenna at the first satellite-allocated frequency;receiving at a second subscriber antenna at the subscriber locationsatellite signals at a second satellite-allocated frequency; said secondsatellite allocated frequency being different from said firstsatellite-allocated frequency; and processing at the subscriber locationthe terrestrial signals and the satellite signals into an output.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a method fortransmitting terrestrial signals to a subscriber from a provider site,comprising: transmitting terrestrial signals from a directionalterrestrial antenna at the provider site at a first satellite-allocatedfrequency; receiving at a first subscriber antenna at a subscriberlocation the terrestrial signals transmitted from the directionalterrestrial antenna at the first satellite-allocated frequency;receiving at a second subscriber antenna at the subscriber locationsatellite signals at a second satellite-allocated frequency; said secondsatellite-allocated frequency being different from said firstsatellite-allocated frequency; separately directing the terrestrialsignals and the satellite signals to the receiver; and selecting achannel from the terrestrial signals and the satellite signals toprovide an output at the subscriber location.

A further embodiment of the present invention is a method fortransmitting terrestrial signals to a subscriber from a provider site,comprising: transmitting terrestrial signals at a firstsatellite-allocated frequency and a second satellite allocated frequencyfrom a directional terrestrial antenna with a main axis of radiationdirected generally southward, said second satellite-allocated frequencybeing different from said first satellite-allocated frequency; receivingat a subscriber antenna at a subscriber location the terrestrial signalsat the first satellite-allocated frequency and the secondsatellite-allocate frequency transmitted from the directionalterrestrial antenna; and processing at the subscriber location saidterrestrial signals into an output.

An even further embodiment of the present invention is a method fortransmitting terrestrial signals to a subscriber from a provider site,comprising: transmitting terrestrial signals at a satellite-allocatedfrequency from a directional terrestrial antenna with a main axis ofradiation directed generally southward at the provider site to asubscriber location; receiving at a first subscriber antenna at thesubscriber location aligned in the northward direction the terrestrialsignals transmitted from the directional terrestrial antenna at thesatellite-allocated frequency; receiving at a second subscriber antennaat the subscriber location aligned in the generally southward directionsatellite signals transmitted at the satellite-allocated frequency;disabling a first feed from the first subscriber antenna or a secondfeed from the second subscriber antenna in response to selection by thesubscriber of a channel from a plurality of channels, thereby preventingsimultaneous transmission of terrestrial signals and satellite signalsto the subscriber; and processing at the subscriber location theterrestrial signals or the satellite signals into an output.

Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for receivingterrestrial signals at a provider site from a subscriber, comprising:transmitting from a subscriber antenna at a subscriber location theterrestrial signals to the provider site at a satellite-allocatedfrequency selected to mitigate interference with non-terrestrialsignals; receiving at a directional terrestrial antenna at the providersite the terrestrial signals at the satellite-allocated frequencyselected to mitigate interference with non-terrestrial signals; andprocessing at the provider site the terrestrial signals into an output.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is a method forreceiving terrestrial signals at a provider site from a subscriber,comprising: transmitting from a subscriber antenna at a subscriberlocation to the provider site terrestrial signals at asatellite-allocated frequency; receiving at a directional terrestrialantenna at the provider site the terrestrial signals from the subscriberat the satellite-allocated frequency; said subscriber antenna and saiddirectional terrestrial antenna being aligned to mitigate interferencewith satellite signals; and processing means for processing theterrestrial signals into an output.

A still further embodiment of the present invention is a method forreceiving terrestrial signals at a provider site from a subscriber,comprising: transmitting from a subscriber antenna with a main axis ofradiation directed northward at a subscriber location to a provider siteterrestrial signals at a first satellite-allocated frequency and asecond satellite-allocated frequency, said second satellite-allocatedfrequency being different from said first satellite-allocated frequency;receiving at a directional terrestrial antenna at the provider siteterrestrial signals at the first satellite-allocated frequency and thesecond satellite allocated frequency; and processing means at theprovider site for processing said terrestrial signals into an output.

An even further embodiment of the present invention is a method fortransmitting terrestrial signals from a primary provider site to asecondary provider site, which comprises: transmitting from a primarydirectional terrestrial antenna at the primary provider site to thesecondary provider site the terrestrial signals at a satellite-allocatedfrequency; and receiving from the primary directional terrestrialantenna at a secondary directional terrestrial antenna at the secondaryprovider site the terrestrial signals at the satellite-allocatedfrequency, said primary directional terrestrial antenna and saidsecondary directional terrestrial antenna being aligned to mitigateinterference with satellite signals

These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention willbe apparent from the following detailed description of the invention,considered along with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation showing the positioning of adirectional terrestrial antenna and a subscriber antenna according toone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the apparatus that is associatedwith a subscriber location according to the embodiment of the inventiondescribed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation showing the positioning of thedirectional terrestrial antenna and the subscriber antenna at asubscriber location in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of components of the apparatus thatis associated with the subscriber antenna at a subscriber location inaccordance with the embodiment of the invention described in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation showing the positioning of adirectional terrestrial antenna and a satellite transmitter in relationto a subscriber antenna at a subscriber location in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation showing components of the apparatusassociated with a subscriber antenna at a subscriber location inaccordance with the embodiment of the invention described in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation showing the positioning of adirectional terrestrial antenna and a satellite transmitter in relationto the subscriber antenna at a subscriber location in accordance withone embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation showing components of the apparatusassociated with the subscriber antenna at a subscriber location inaccordance with the embodiment of the invention described in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation showing the positioning of adirectional terrestrial antenna in relation to non-subscriber antennas,which receive satellite signals, in a commercial area, in accordancewith an implementation of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation showing the positioning of adirectional terrestrial antenna in relation to non-subscriber antennas,which receive satellite signals, in a residential area, in accordancewith an implementation of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation showing the positioning of primarydirectional terrestrial antennas at primary provider sites in relationto the positioning of secondary directional terrestrial antenna atsecondary provider sites and subscriber antennas at subscriberlocations, in accordance with an implementation of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Table I illustrates eight systems, each of which corresponds to eightgeneral categories of terrestrial radio systems, in accordance withvarious embodiments of the inventive subject matter, without intendingto be limited thereto. A person of ordinary skill in the art wouldreadily understand, based upon the disclosure herein, that there arenumerous ways to implement and/or combine these general categories ofthe present invention.

TABLE I SUBSCRIBER SIGNAL SIGNAL/ ANTENNA AT COMBINING DISABLING SYSTEMORIGIN FREQUENCY SUBSCRIBER SITE MEANS MEANS 1 Terrestrial 1^(st)satellite-allocated 1 No No (from provider downlink site) 2 Terrestrial1^(st) satellite-allocated 1 Optional No (from provider downlink site)Terrestrial 2^(nd) satellite-allocated (provider site) downlink 3Terrestrial 1^(st) satellite-allocated 2 Optional No (from providerdownlink site) Satellite 2^(nd) satellite-allocated downlink 4Terrestrial (from 1^(st) satellite-allocated 2 No Yes provider site)downlink Satellite 2^(nd) satellite-allocated downlink 5 Terrestrial1^(st) satellite-allocated 1 No No (from subscriber uplink location) 6Terrestrial (from 1^(st) satellite-allocated 1 Optional No subscriberuplink location) Terrestrial (from 2^(nd) satellite-allocated subscriberuplink location) 7 Terrestrial (from satellite-allocated 2 Optional Nosubscriber uplink location) Satellite satellite-allocated downlink 8Terrestrial (from satellite-allocated 1 No No provider) downlinkTerrestrial (from satellite-allocated subscriber) uplink

Referring to Table I, System 1 includes a directional terrestrialantenna, located at a site from which a provider of single-channel ormulti-channel service distributes programming and data to subscribers(“provider site), which transmits terrestrial signals at onesatellite-allocated downlink frequency to a subscriber having onesubscriber antenna, or a plurality of subscribers each having onesubscriber antenna. The receiving apparatus at the subscriber locationfor System 1 does not require any means for combining signals or anymeans for disabling a feed.

Referring still to Table I, System 2 describes a further embodiment ofthe invention wherein a directional terrestrial antenna at a providersite transmits terrestrial signals at two or more differentsatellite-allocated downlink frequencies to one subscriber antenna at asubscriber location (or to one subscriber antenna at each of a pluralityof subscriber locations). System 2 optionally incorporates combiningmeans for combining the signals at the first satellite-allocateddownlink frequency with the signals transmitted at the secondsatellite-allocated downlink frequency to form signals on a singlesignal path and thus to obviate the need for more than one feed.Further, the combining of the signals transmitted at two differentfrequencies also obviates the need for disabling means. The processingmeans and/or combining means optionally includes a first LNB and asecond LNB, each LNB having a slightly different local oscillatorfrequency In this manner, the signals are translated to a close oradjacent intermediate frequency (IF) bands for subsequent processing. Aperson of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand, based uponthe disclosure herein, how to incorporate into the applicableimplementations of the present invention first and second LNBs havingslightly different local oscillator frequencies, including readilyunderstanding which local oscillator frequencies to use, without undueexperimentation.

Referring to Table I, a third embodiment of the invention is describedas System 3 wherein a directional terrestrial antenna at a provider sitetransmits terrestrial signals at a first satellite-allocated downlinkfrequency to a first subscriber antenna at a subscriber location, and asecond subscriber antenna at the subscriber location receives signalstransmitted from a satellite at a second satellite-allocated frequency.In accordance with this system, the signals at the different frequenciesare combined by combing means, thereby obviating the need for separatefeeds or the need for selection or disabling means.

Referring again to Table I, a fourth embodiment of the invention isdescribed as System 4, wherein a directional terrestrial antenna at aprovider site transmits terrestrial signals at a firstsatellite-allocated downlink frequency to a first subscriber antenna ata subscriber location, while a second subscriber antenna at thesubscriber location receives signals transmitted from a satellite alsoat the first satellite-allocated downlink frequency. System 4 utilizesdisabling means, such as a voltage disabler as described below, withoutlimitation, to disable one of the two feeds leading from each of the twosubscriber antennas to prevent the simultaneous processing of thesignals originating from the terrestrial source and the signalsoriginating from the satellite source. It would be appreciated bypersons of ordinary skill in the art that additional antennas, signalsources and frequencies could be added to each system in accordance withthe present invention, in addition to other modifications within theskill of the art.

Again referring to Table I, a fifth embodiment of the present inventionis described as System 5, wherein an antenna at a subscriber locationtransmits terrestrial signals at a first satellite-allocated uplinkfrequency to an antenna at a provider site.

Still referring to Table I, a sixth embodiment of the present inventionis described as System 6, wherein an antenna at a subscriber sitetransmits terrestrial signals at a first and second satellite-allocateduplink frequency to an antenna at a provider site. This provides atleast one full GHz of service. Combining means, as described above inregard to System 2, are optionally utilized at the provider site toobviate the need for more than one feed from the antenna.

A seventh embodiment of the present invention is described in Table I asSystem 7, wherein an antenna at a subscriber location transmitsterrestrial signals at a satellite-allocated uplink frequency to aprovider site, while the antenna at the subscriber location (or a secondantenna at the subscriber location, for example) receives signals from asatellite at a satellite-allocated downlink frequency.

Also in Table I, an eighth embodiment of the present invention isdescribed as System 8, wherein an antenna at a provider site transmitsterrestrial signals at a satellite-allocated downlink frequency to asubscriber at a subscriber location, and an antenna at the subscriberlocation transmits terrestrial signals to the antenna at the providersite (e.g., a return link providing two-way communication) at asatellite-allocated uplink frequency.

The present invention contemplates that each system may incorporate aplurality of directional terrestrial antennas and/or a plurality ofsubscribers in any number and combination to obtain a desired result.Moreover, any combination of systems is possible, For example, Systems 5and/or 6 may be combined with any other provider communication system inany manner to provide two-way communication between a service providerand a subscriber or plurality of subscribers, without limitation.Systems 5 and/or 6 are preferably combined with one or more of Systems1, 2, 3 and/or 4, or the various implementations thereof, as describedherein. It would be readily understood by persons of ordinary skill inthe art, based upon the disclosure herein, how to manipulate the numberof directional terrestrial antennas in accordance with the number ofsubscribers, and the location of the subscribers, in order to achievethe desired effect.

Table II describes each of the eight general systems, which areidentified in Table I, in accordance with various preferred embodimentsof the present invention, including examples of specific ranges ofsignal frequencies, without limitation It would be well within the skillin the art to select a desirable or appropriate frequency under anygiven set of circumstances, based upon the guidance provided herein.

TABLE II Selection Means or Signal Subscriber Combining Disabling SystemOrigin Signal Frequency antenna Means Means 1a Terrestrial 11.7 GHz to12.2 GHz or 1 No No (from 41.0 GHz to 42.5 GHz provider site) 1bTerrestrial 11.7 GHz to 12.7 GHz or 1 No No (from 41.0 GHz to 42.5 GHzprovider site) 2 Terrestrial 11.7 GHz to 12.2 GHz 1 Optional No (fromprovider site) Terrestrial 41.0 GHz to 42.5 GHz (from provider site) 3Terrestrial 11.7 GHz to 12.2 GHz or 2 Optional No (from 41.0 GHz to 42.5GHz provider site) Satellite 12.2 GHz to 12.7 GHz or 41.0 to 42.5 GHz 4Terrestrial 11.7 GHz to 12.7 GHz or 2 No Yes 41.0 GHz to 42.5 GHzSatellite 11.7 GHz to 12.7 GHz or 41.0 GHz to 42.5 GHz 5 Terrestrial14.0 GHz to 14.5 GHz or 1 No No (from 17.3 GHz to 17.8 GHz subscriberlocation) 6 Terrestrial 14.0 GHz to 14.5 GHz 1 Optional No (fromsubscriber location) Terrestrial 17.3 GHz to 17.8 GHz (from subscriberlocation) 7 Terrestrial 11.7 GHz to 12.2 GHz or 2 Optional No (from 41.0GHz to 42.5 GHz subscriber location) Satellite 11.7 GHz to 12.7 GHz or41.0 GHz to 42.5 GHz 8 Terrestrial 11.7 GHz to 12.2 GHz or 1 No No (from41.0 GHz to 42.5 GHz provider site) Terrestrial 14.0 GHz to 14.5 GHz or(from 17.3 GHz to 17.8 GHz subscriber location)

System 1 is illustrated in further detail in FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown inFIG. 1, the system involves a directional terrestrial antenna 2supported by a support structure 4, and positioned so that terrestrialsignals 6 are transmitted in the generally southward direction. Theterrestrial signals 6 are received by a subscriber antenna 10 which islocated at a subscriber location. As shown in FIG. 1, non-subscriberreceiving antennas 50 are positioned to receive satellite signals 52transmitted from the south and therefore do not receive the terrestrialsignals 6. Thus, the terrestrial signals 6 do not interfere with thesatellite signals 52, even when the terrestrial signals 6 and thesatellite signals 52 are transmitted, and received, at the samefrequency simultaneously. In this manner, the satellite-allocatedfrequencies are reused by the terrestrial antenna.

FIGS. 1 and 2 also illustrate System 5 as an optional component includedwith System I. As shown in FIG. 1, and also in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7 furtherdiscussed below, return-link terrestrial signals 7 at a satellite-uplinkfrequency are transmitted from the subscriber antenna 10 at thesubscriber location to the directional terrestrial antenna 2 at theprovider site. This illustrates the two-way communication possiblebetween the subscriber and the provider.

FIG. 2 illustrates the receiving apparatus at a subscriber location inaccordance with the invention described in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2,the subscriber antenna 10 receives the terrestrial signals 6 transmittedat a certain satellite-allocated frequency from a terrestrial antenna 2.The terrestrial signals 6 are directed by feed 12 to a low-noiseamplifier and block converter (LNB) 16 where the signals are amplifiedand then directed to a processor 18 for demodulation and otherprocessing prior to being directed to an output device 20. The outputdevice 20 is a television, radio, computer, or other such device,without limitation.

As also shown in FIG. 2, as well as in FIGS. 4, 6 and 8 discussed infurther detail below, a transmitting apparatus 24 is optionallyconnected to the subscriber antenna 10 and the output device 20 bothdirectly and indirectly through an input device 22. The optionalconnection provides two-way communication between the provider and thesubscriber.

System 2 of Table I is described in FIGS. 3 and 4. Referring to FIG. 3,the system involves a directional terrestrial antenna 2, supported by asupport structure 4 and positioned so that terrestrial signals 6 aretransmitted in the generally southward direction. The terrestrialsignals 6 are received by a subscriber antenna 10 which is located at asubscriber location. As shown in FIG. 1, non-subscriber receivingantennas 50 positioned to receive satellite signals 52 transmitted fromthe south, and therefore do not receive the terrestrial signals 6. Thus,the terrestrial signals 6 do not interfere with the satellite signals52, even when the terrestrial signals 6 and the satellite signals 52 aresimultaneously transmitted and/or received at the same frequency. Inthis manner, the satellite-allocated frequencies are reused by theterrestrial antenna.

Referring to FIG. 4, a subscriber antenna 10 receives terrestrialsignals 6 from the terrestrial antenna 2 at a first satellite-allocatedfrequency and at a second satellite-allocated frequency. The terrestrialsignals at the first and second satellite-allocated frequencies aredirected by a feed 12 to a first low-noise amplifier and block converter(LNB) 16 at a first local oscillator frequency and a second LNB 17 at asecond local oscillator frequency where the terrestrial signals areamplified and then directed to a processor 18. The first localoscillator frequency is slightly different from the second localoscillatory frequency such that the incoming signals are translated tonearby or adjacent intermediate frequency (IF) bands. The processor 18demodulates the amplified signals and provides the demodulated signalsto an output device 20. In this manner, signals from multipleterrestrial sources, or from one terrestrial source, at differentsatellite-allocated frequencies are simultaneously received andprocessed. It is thus possible to provide at least 1 GHz of service tosubscribers.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a further implementation of the invention asdescribed in System 3 of Table II. Referring to FIG. 5, a directionalterrestrial antenna 2 situated on a supporting structure 4 transmits aterrestrial signal 6 to a subscriber antenna 10 at a subscriberlocation. The terrestrial antenna 2 is positioned so that theterrestrial signal 6 is transmitted in the generally southwarddirection. The subscriber antenna 10 is aligned in the northwarddirection to receive the terrestrial signals 6. The terrestrial signal 6is transmitted at a first satellite-allocated frequency.

Referring still to FIG. 5, a satellite-based transmitter 60 transmits asatellite signal 62 to a second subscriber antenna 30 at the subscriberlocation. The satellite-based transmitter 60 transmits the satellitesignals 62 in the northward direction. The second subscriber antenna 30is aligned in the generally southward direction to receive the satellitesignals 62. The satellite signals 62 are transmitted at a secondsatellite-allocated frequency.

Referring to FIG. 6, a first subscriber antenna 10 receives terrestrialsignals 6 from a terrestrial antenna 2. A second subscriber antenna 30receives satellite signals 62 from a satellite-based transmitter 60. Theterrestrial signals 6 are transmitted at first satellite-allocatedfrequency and the satellite signals 62 are transmitted at a secondsatellite-allocated frequency. A first feed 12 directs the terrestrialsignals at the first satellite-allocated frequency to a first low-noiseamplifier and block converter, LNB 16. A second feed 32 directs thesatellite signals 62 at the second satellite-allocated frequency to asecond LNB 17 having a slightly different local oscillator frequency sothat the translated terrestrial and satellite signals are in nearby oradjacent intermediate frequency (IF) bands. The combining of signals atdifferent frequencies using a variety of techniques is well known andwell within the skill of the art. The signals received at the antennaare directed on a signal pathway to an IF amplifier 14 foramplification. The amplified signals are directed to a processor 18where the signals are demodulated and otherwise processed. The processedsignals are then directed to an output device 20.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the implementation of the invention describedas system 4 in Table I. Referring to FIG. 7, a directional terrestrialantenna 2 situated on a supporting structure 4 transmits a terrestrialsignal 6 to a subscriber antenna 10 at a subscriber location. Theterrestrial antenna 2 is positioned so that the terrestrial signals 6are transmitted in the generally southward direction. The subscriberantenna 10 is aligned in the northward direction to receive theterrestrial signals 6. The terrestrial signals 6 are transmitted at afirst satellite-allocated frequency.

A satellite-based transmitter 60 transmits a satellite signal 62 to asecond subscriber antenna 30 at the subscriber location. Thesatellite-based transmitter 60 transmits the satellite signals 62 in thenorthward direction. The first subscriber antenna 30 is aligned in thegenerally southward direction to receive the satellite signals 62. Thesatellite signals 62 are transmitted at the first satellite-allocatedfrequency.

Referring to FIG. 8, a first subscriber antenna 10 receives terrestrialsignals 6 at a first satellite-allocated frequency from a terrestrialantenna 2. A second subscriber antenna 30 receives satellite signals 62from a satellite-based transmitter 60. The satellite signals 62 arereceived at the same satellite-allocated frequency as the terrestrialsignals 6. The terrestrial signals are directed by a first feed 12 to avoltage disabler 34. Likewise, satellite signals 62 are directed by asecond feed 32 to the voltage disabler 34. The voltage disabler 34 iscapable of supplying an electrical current to either the first feed 12or the second feed 32. An electrical current will be applied to eitherthe first feed 12 or the second feed 32 at any given time. The feedselected for the application of the electrical current is determined byan input in the input device 22 corresponding to a selection of achannel by the subscriber. Thus, the input device 22 is preprogrammed sothat each channel corresponds to a feed to be disabled such that thesignal provided by the other feed is subject to further processing. Thefeed which is not disabled provides the signals to the LNB 16 foramplification. The amplified signals are then directed to a processor 18for demodulation or other processing. The processed signals are thenprovided to an output device 20. The output displayed, or otherwiseprovided, by the output device 20 thus corresponds to the channelselected by the subscriber. Moreover, the disabler mitigates theproblems inherent in processing terrestrial signals and satellitesignals received at the same frequency simultaneously.

Referring to FIG. 9, a directional terrestrial antenna 2 situated on asupporting structure 4 is located in a predominately commercial area.The commercial area contains commercial structures 90 in associationwith non-subscriber antenna 50 which receives satellite signals at a FSSfrequency. In accordance with one implementation of the invention, afrequency other than a FSS frequency is transmitted from the directionalterrestrial antenna 2. Optionally, an interference canceller 70 isplaced in proximity to the non-subscriber antenna 50. In this manner,the terrestrial signals 6 transmitted from the directional terrestrialantenna 2 will not interfere with satellite signals received at thenon-subscriber antenna 50 which are associated with the commercialstructures 90 because the terrestrial signals 6 are transmitted at adifferent frequency than the signals being received at those sites.Further, at those non-subscriber antenna 50 which are associated withresidential structures 80 are protected from interference by theterrestrial signals 6 being transmitted at the same frequency, by theinterference canceller 70.

Referring to FIG. 10, a directional terrestrial antenna 2 on asupporting structure 4 transmits a terrestrial signal 6 at a frequencyselected to mitigate interference with satellite signals being receivedby non-subscriber antenna associated with residential structures 80. Forexample, the terrestrial signals 6 are transmitted at a FSS frequency.In this manner, the non-subscriber antenna at the residential structure80, which receives satellite signals at a DBS frequency, would notexperience interference from the terrestrial signals 6 transmitted atthe FSS frequency. Preferably, an interference canceller 70 is placedadjacent to or in proximity to a non-subscriber antenna associated witha commercial structure 90 to block the terrestrial signals 6 fromreaching the non-subscriber antenna associated with the commercialstructure 90. In this manner, the non-subscriber antenna 50 associatedwith the commercial structure 90 does not experience interference fromthe terrestrial signals at the FSS frequency, even though thenon-subscriber antenna associated with the commercial structure 90receives satellite signals at the same frequency as the terrestrialsignals 6.

Referring to FIG. 11, a primary directional terrestrial antenna 100 isshown at a primary provider site. A plurality of secondary directionalterrestrial antenna 110 are shown at a plurality of secondary providersites. As shown in the figure, the relationship between the primaryprovider site and the secondary provider site may be a verticallyintegrated relationship, a horizontally integrated relationship, or, asactually shown in the drawing, a combination of both. The primarydirectional terrestrial antenna transmits terrestrial signals 6 to oneor more of the secondary terrestrial antennas 110. The secondaryterrestrial antennas 110 which receive the terrestrial signals 6 fromthe primary directional terrestrial antenna 100 then transmit theterrestrial signals 6 to one or more additional secondary directionalterrestrial antennas 110. The secondary directional terrestrial antennasmay be arranged in any manner. One or more of the secondary directionalterrestrial antennas 110 transmits the terrestrial signals 6 receivedfrom either the primary directional terrestrial antenna and/or one ormore of the secondary directional terrestrial antennas to one or moresubscriber antennas 10 at a subscriber location. In this manner, a largenumber of subscribers may be reached using a directional terrestrialsystem which reuses satellite-allocated frequencies, in accordance withone implementation of the present invention. A person of ordinary skillin the art would understand that it would be possible to vary thearrangements of the primary provider site and the secondary providersite with one another and in relation to the subscriber locations toattain the desired effect.

The low-noise block converters (LNB) 16 and 17 of the present inventionmay be any conventional LNB. The use of LNBs in radio signal antennas iswell known and well within the skill of the art. It would be appreciatedby persons of ordinary skill in the art that an LNB could be modifiedfor adaptation to the various embodiments of the present invention usingreadily available techniques and skills without undue experimentation.

The feeds for terrestrial signals and/or satellite signals may be anyconventional feeds. The use of such feeds in radio signals receivingequipment is well known and well within the skill of the art. It wouldbe appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art that a feed couldbe modified for adaptation to the various embodiments of the presentinvention using readily available techniques and skills without undueexperimentation.

The processor 18 of the present invention may be any conventionalprocessor, including conventional demodulators or other processingdevices. The use of a wide variety of processors and demodulators iswell known and well within the skill of the art. It would be appreciatedby persons of ordinary skill in the art that processors and demodulatorscould be modified for adaptation to various embodiments of the presentinvention using readily available techniques and skills, without undueexperimentation.

The output device 20 optionally includes or is operatively associatedwith a communications device or software for providing the subscriberwith two-way communications capabilities, such as interactivetelevision, for example, without limitation.

The output device 20 of the present invention may be any conventionaloutput device. For example, the output device 20 of the invention may bea television, a computer, a radio, a video recorder/player, a handheldor portable wireless device, and the like, or any combination thereof,without limitation. The use of such output devices in combination withradio signal receiving equipment is well known and well within the skillof the art. It would be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in theart that an output device could be modified for adaptation to thevarious embodiments of the present invention using readily availabletechniques and skills without undue experimentation.

The input device 22 may be any device which allows the subscriber toinput data to the receiving apparatus 26 or the transmitting apparatus24. For example, the input device may be a channel selector, acomputer/keyboard, a remote control device, a set top box, or anycombination thereof, without limitation. The input device 24 mayinclude, comprise or be operatively associated with a microprocessorand/or a software module. It would be appreciated by persons of ordinaryskill in the art that an input device could be modified for adaptationto the various embodiments of the present invention using readilyavailable techniques and skills without undue experimentation.

The transmitting apparatus 24 of the present invention may be anyconventional apparatus for directing and/or processing inputs, includingsubscriber inputs, preprogrammed responses to received signals or thelike, without limitation, for transmission by the subscriber antenna 10from the subscriber location. The transmitting apparatus 24 may beoperatively associated with the receiving apparatus 26, as illustratedin the Figures. Alternatively, the transmitting apparatus 24 may includethe receiving apparatus 26, comprise the receiving apparatus 26 or beentirely independent of the receiving apparatus 26. It would beappreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art that a transmittingapparatus could be modified for adaptation to the various embodiments ofthe present invention using readily available techniques and skillswithout undue experimentation.

Various receiving and/or transmitting antennas may be incorporated intothe systems and methods of the present invention. The present inventioncontemplates having a single antenna at a subscriber location orprovider site capable of receiving signals and transmitting signals.Also contemplated by the present invention is the use of separateantennas at the provider site and/or subscriber location for receivingand transmitting contemplated by the invention. Accordingly, eachdirectional terrestrial antenna at the provider site and each subscriberantenna is independently a transmitting antenna, a receiving antenna orboth.

For example, the subscriber antenna may be a circular wave guideantenna, feed-horn antenna, flat plate antenna, and/or slot antennawithout limitation. The subscriber antenna is preferably a parabolicreflector with an offset feed to reduce sidelobes and increasedirectivity in the desired direction. The directional terrestrialantenna, at the provider site, of the present invention may be anyconventional directional terrestrial antenna. Directional terrestrialantennas are well known and well within the skill of the art. It wouldbe well within the skill of the art to select and incorporate adirectional terrestrial antenna appropriate for implementing each of theembodiments of the present invention, based upon the guidance providedherein.

Preferably, the directional terrestrial antenna at the provider site isa high-gain sector antenna. More preferably, the directional terrestrialantenna is a sectional horn having low sidelobes. Even more preferably,the directional terrestrial antenna is a high-gain sector antenna. Mostpreferably, the directional terrestrial antenna is a high-gain sectorantenna designed for low sidelobes in the elevation plane.

The beamwidth (in the azimuthal plane) of the antenna at the providersite is preferably about 120 degrees or less, and more preferably, about100 degrees. In the vertical plane, the beamwidth of the antenna at theprovider site is preferably about 20 degrees or less, and morepreferably about 3 degrees.

In accordance with various embodiments and/or implementations of thepresent invention, it would be understood by persons of ordinary skillin the art that each provider site or subscriber location may have oneantenna or a plurality of antennas. Each antenna may be the same ordifferent, in any combination possible. Where one antenna is present ata provider site or a subscriber location, that antenna may both transmitand receive terrestrial signals. Where a plurality of antenna arepresent at a provider site or subscriber location, one or more of theantennas may transmit terrestrial signals and one or more of theantennas may receive terrestrial signals.

The present system is designed to be capable of co-existing as asecondary service with ubiquitously deployed DBS receivers in the12.2-12.7 GHz band, according to an implementation. The deployment maybe national in scope, encompassing urban, suburban and rural areas, withthe general design parameters cited herein preferably optimized for eachindividual site.

The present system utilizes a low powered, cellular design, withtransmitting antennas directing their radiation generally southward,into the backsides of DBS antennas, thereby providing the maximumisolation between the two systems. In areas where there will not benearby DBS receivers, such as on water or in mountainous areas, the lowpower cellular approach can be modified to use higher transmitterpowers. In areas where DBS receivers can be in close proximity to aprovider site/directional terrestrial antenna, the vertical beamwidth ofthe directional terrestrial antenna, its height, tilt and sideloberoll-off pattern, may be controlled in order to limit the PFD in thevicinity of the antenna.

Generally, each directional terrestrial antenna at a provider site willbe directed in a southerly direction (e.g., at azimuths from 91 to 269degrees), in order to illuminate only the back of co-channel receiversof other services. However, to minimize the necessity to mitigateinterference and where local topography, zoning and propertyavailability permit, the azimuth of transmissions at particular siteswill be chosen to point towards the back of all the DBS antennas and asmany as possible of the antennas of other protected services in thatarea.

In one implementation, the present invention uses methods developed viathe FCC NPRM (IB Docket No. 00-248, Dec. 14, 2000), incorporated hereinby reference, wherein a “mitigation zone” is defined around an antennaat a provider within which potentially harmful interference might bereceived by a DBS antenna. Each DBS receiver within the mitigation zonemust then be examined to determine whether harmful interference isactually being received. The FCC proposes a “harmful interferencecriteria” of 2.86% increase in unavailability for each affected DBSreceiver. These parameters establish the interference environment.Generally, line-of-sight conditions will dominate.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention,interference is optionally mitigated by utilizing relatively loweffective isotropically radiated power (e.i.r.p.) terrestrialtransmissions. The e.i.r.p. will generally be set at about the minimumvalue consistent with the service rules and with the goal of achievingavailability of 99.7% at the maximum range, taking rain climatic zonesinto account. Accordingly, the margin may be as high as about 7 dB inareas of intense rainfall, and as little as 2 dB in regions of lessintense rain. Power control may be used where necessary to controlinterference. Preferably, the directional terrestrial antenna transmitssignals at an e.i.r.p. of no greater than about 15 dBW. More preferably,the directional terrestrial antenna transmits signals at an e.i.r.p. ofno greater than about 10 dBW. Most preferably, the directionalterrestrial antenna transmits signals at an e.i.r.p. of no greater thanabout 12.5 dBm.

In accordance with an implementation of the invention,satellite-allocated frequencies may be reused for terrestrial service byusing relatively narrow beams with tightly controlled sidelobes, angulardiscrimination, frequency selection, inference mitigation and/orcombinations thereof. Optionally, the directional terrestrial antenna ata provider site is positioned such that the antenna has a main access ofradiation pointed generally southward. Further, the directionalterrestrial antenna is optionally oriented 120 degrees in the azimuthalplane. In addition, the terrestrial antenna optionally has a linearpolarization.

The height of the transmitting antennas at provider sites, in accordancewith an implementation of the present invention, are based upon theheight of the highest plane containing, or potentially containing,co-channel receivers of other services. A typical height would be about100 meters. A minimum height of about 10 meters is preferable wherethere are no co-channel receivers of other services.

Transmitted signals, in accordance with an implementation of the presentinvention, will have a total bandwidth of about 500 MHz and will becomposed of individual signal bandwidths ranging from about 24 MHz toabout 500 MHz.

The subscriber antenna for receiving terrestrial signals in accordancewith the present invention optionally includes various receivingcharacteristics for interference mitigation. For example, the subscriberantenna for receiving terrestrial signals optionally includes anoffset-fed reflector. Preferably, the offset-fed reflector about 45 cmto about 60 cm. Further, the offset-fed reflector is optionally linearlypolarized.

Interference to satellite signal receivers from terrestrialtransmissions at satellite-allocated frequencies may be mitigated byutilizing adaptive interference cancellers (or “interferencecancellers”). In particular, adaptive interference cancellers comprisean auxiliary receiving antenna pointed at a major source ofinterference. The receiving system of the canceller incorporates anadaptive filter which continuously adjusts its parameters to minimizethe interfering signal in the output of the receiver of the satellitesignal. Any conventional interference cancellers are contemplated byvarious embodiments of the present invention, as would be appreciated bypersons of ordinary skill in the art. Based upon the guidance providedherein, persons of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciatethe various ways in which interference cancellers could be utilizedimplement the present invention.

A substantial advantage of the present invention over broadcasting orother communication systems includes the ability to provide, through oneservice, national television programming, regional televisionprogramming and local television programming, as well as any other videoprogramming and/or data, including broadband data. Thus, the presentinvention represents a comprehensive communications system. Moreover,the system, apparatus and method of the present invention may beutilized to provide consumers with data transmission services andInternet services, in addition to single-channel or multi-channel videoprogramming, without limitation. Additionally, the present inventionenables at least a fall 1 GHz of service to be provided to subscribers.This capability provides a number of benefits, including the ability touse lower power levels, so as to interfere less with satellite signalswhile maintaining high data rates, as well as a comprehensivecommunication system, without limitation.

Two-way communication may be provided by the system, apparatus andmethod of the present invention. The two-way communication provided bythe present invention allows subscribers to optionally transmit signalsto the service provider, in accordance with various implementations ofthe present invention. For example, in one implementation of the presentinvention, a satellite uplink frequency is utilized as a return path forthe terrestrial service, by having the subscriber antenna at asubscriber location transmit terrestrial signals back to the providersite where it would be received on an antenna and processed by areceiving system. As described above, the terrestrial antenna at theprovider site is aligned in the northward direction.

It will be appreciated by persons or ordinary skill in the art thatterrestrial reuse of satellite downlink frequencies relies on the factthat the satellite-based transmitters generally transmit signals fromsouth to north, while the terrestrial transmitters generally transmitfrom north to south. For example, Interference to and from subscribersusing a DBS feeder link band for a return path would be extremelyunlikely for two reasons: there are only two, or at most a few DBSfeeder link stations in the United States, and they are located in areasof sparse population. Consequently, the transmissions from thosestations would not interfere with the receivers at the transmitting andreceiving site of the terrestrial service provider. Similarly, since allof the antennas of the Northern Hemisphere subscribers' low-power returnpaths would be pointing north, none of them could interfere with thereceiver on board a DBS satellite located in the Earth's equatorialplane, even if tuned to the same frequencies. In this manner, varioustwo-way systems may be provided to consumers whereby consumerscommunicate with the service provider.

It is contemplated that two-way communications services, includingtelevision, such as interactive television, and Internet or other datacommunications service, and the like, without limitation, are optionallyprovided in accordance with various implementations of the presentinvention. For example, in one implementation of the invention, asubscriber may request specific programming, or data from the providerby requesting the desired programming or data by transmitting signalswith the request to the provider. In another implementation of thepresent invention, for example, the provider, either automatically or byarrangement, receives signals from the subscriber regarding theprogramming being viewed or data being received to compile informationregarding viewer-ship or user-ship for commercial purposes, such asmarket research. In another implementation of the present invention, forexample, the subscriber transmits data to the provider regardingsubscribing to the service, extending subscription and/or payment forservice. In another implementation, of the present invention, thesubscriber is able to engage in transactions by transmitting signals tothe provider, for example, without limitation. It would be clear topersons of ordinary skill in the art as to the manner for providing anyvariations of subscriber interaction in accordance with variousembodiments and implementations of the present invention, based upon theguidance provided herein.

In the case of providing Internet service to subscribers in accordancewith the present invention, the Internet service is preferably ahigh-speed broadband service. More preferably, the Internet service is ahigh-speed broadband service having an information bit rate from about1.554 MB/s up to about 40 Mb/s per channel. The Internet service andvideo programming may be combined in any manner, in accordance withvarious embodiments and implementations of the present invention. Forexample, the Internet service may be accessed via a television system,without limitation.

The various embodiments of the present invention may further include aportable or wireless communications device, such as a handheld device ora vehicle installed device, without limitation, which contains atransmitter and/or receiver operatively associated with the subscriberlocation. In this manner, a subscriber may receive signals from and/ortransmit signals to the provider, even when no longer at the subscriberlocation. It would be well within the skill of the art to select theproper components to implement such a system in conjunction with thevarious embodiments of the present invention described above, based uponthe guidance provided herein.

The following example is illustrative of preferred embodiments of theinventive subject matter and are not to be construed as limiting theinventive subject matter thereto.

EXAMPLE 1

A system in accordance with an implementation of the present inventionis designed according to the embodiments described above and thefollowing parameters:

System Parameters Frequency, GHz 12.2-12.7 Transmit Bandwidth, MHz 500Modulation QPSK Peak transmitting e.i.r.p., dBm 12.5 TransmittingAntenna Azimuth Generally southward. (Where feasible the azimuth will bethe average of the extreme azimuths of the DBS antennas in that region)Transmit Antenna Vert. 16 Beamwidth, deg Transmit Antenna Hor. 110Beamwidth, deg Transmit Antenna Height, meters 100 Tilt (measuredupward), deg 0 Pattern Roll-off Inversely as the square of thenormalized beamwidth Range 15 Km Receive Antenna Gain, dBi 34 ReceiveAntenna Noise Temp, 100 clear sky, K

With regard to the vertical beamwidth of 16 degrees, the on-axis PFD inthe plane 100 meters below the antenna at the provider site iscontrolled out to the 3 dB point, approximately 700 meters. Therefore,the measured PFD will be essentially constant from 700 meters to 0meters (at the antenna mast). Reducing the vertical beamwidth willextend the region of PFD control, if necessary.

The Transmit Antenna Height refers to the height above DBS receivers, orpotential DBS receivers, in the vicinity of the antenna at the providersite.

The invention now being fully described, it will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can bemade thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventionas set forth herein. The foregoing describes the preferred embodimentsof the present invention along with a number of possible alternatives.These embodiments, however, are merely for example and the invention isnot restricted thereto. The present invention is therefore notrestricted to the embodiments disclosed above, but is defined in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A single-channel or multi-channel system forreceiving terrestrial signals at a terrestrial provider site from asubscriber, which comprises: a directional subscriber antenna at asubscriber location with a main axis directed northward for transmittingthe terrestrial signals to the terrestrial provider site at a firstsatellite-allocated frequency and a second satellite-allocatedfrequency, wherein the first satellite-allocated frequency is selectedfrom a range of frequencies including: 11.7-12.2 GHz, 17.3-17.8 GHz and41.0-42.5 GHz, to mitigate interference with non-terrestrial signals; adirectional terrestrial antenna at the terrestrial provider site with amain axis directed southward for receiving the terrestrial signals atthe first satellite-allocated frequency and the secondsatellite-allocated frequency, wherein the directional subscriberantenna and the directional terrestrial antenna are aligned to mitigateinterference with non-terrestrial signals; a plurality of proximalnon-subscriber antennas, each with a main axis directed in a directionto avoid interference with the directional terrestrial antenna at theterrestrial provider site; and processing means at the terrestrialprovider site for processing the terrestrial signals into an output. 2.The single-channel or multi-channel system of claim 1, furthercomprising means for transmitting terrestrial signals from thedirectional terrestrial antenna to the subscriber.
 3. The single-channelor multi-channel system of claim 1, wherein said single-channel ormulti-channel system provides the subscriber with interactivetelevision.
 4. A single-channel or multi-channel system for transmittingterrestrial signals from a primary terrestrial provider site to aplurality of secondary terrestrial provider sites, which comprises: aprimary directional terrestrial antenna at the primary terrestrialprovider site for transmitting terrestrial signals at a firstsatellite-allocated frequency and a second satellite-allocated frequencyto the plurality of secondary terrestrial provider sites; a secondarydirectional terrestrial antenna at each of the plurality of secondaryterrestrial provider sites for receiving the terrestrial signals at thefirst satellite-allocated frequency and the second satellite-allocatedfrequency from the primary directional terrestrial antenna, said primarydirectional terrestrial antenna and each of said secondary directionalterrestrial antennas being aligned to mitigate interference withsatellite signals; and a plurality of subscriber antennas for receivingthe terrestrial signals from the primary directional antennas and one ormore of the secondary directional terrestrial antennas at the firstsatellite-allocated frequency and the second satellite-allocatedfrequency, at a plurality of subscriber locations; wherein the firstsatellite-allocated frequency is reused by the one or more of theprimary directional terrestrial antenna and the secondary directionalterrestrial antenna and is selected from a range of frequenciesincluding: 11.7-12.2 GHz, 17.3-17.8 GHz and 41.0-42.5 GHz.
 5. Thesingle-channel or multi-channel system of claim 4, further comprisingone or more additional secondary directional terrestrial antenna at oneor more additional secondary terrestrial provider sites.
 6. Thesingle-channel or multi-channel system of claim 5, wherein theterrestrial signals are transmitted from the secondary directionalterrestrial antenna to the one or more additional secondary directionalterrestrial antenna at one or more additional secondary terrestrialprovider sites.
 7. The single-channel or multi-channel system of claim4, further comprising a subscriber antenna at a subscriber location forreceiving the terrestrial signals from the secondary directionalterrestrial antenna.
 8. The single-channel or multi-channel system ofclaim 4, further comprising: one or more additional secondarydirectional terrestrial antenna at one or more additional secondaryterrestrial provider sites; and a subscriber antenna at a subscriberlocation for receiving the terrestrial signals from the one or moreadditional secondary directional terrestrial antenna.
 9. Thesingle-channel or multi-channel system of claim 8, wherein theterrestrial signals are received at the subscriber location after beingdirectly or indirectly transmitted from the secondary directionalterrestrial antenna to one or more additional secondary directionalterrestrial antenna.
 10. A method for receiving terrestrial signals froma subscriber at a terrestrial provider site, comprising: transmitting tothe terrestrial provider site from a directional subscriber antenna at asubscriber location the terrestrial signals at a firstsatellite-allocated frequency and a second satellite-allocatedfrequency, wherein the first satellite-allocated frequency is selectedfrom a range of frequencies including: 11.7-12.2 GHz, 17.3-17.8 GHz and41.0-42.5 GHz, to mitigate interference with non-terrestrial signals;receiving at a directional terrestrial antenna at the terrestrialprovider site the terrestrial signals at the first satellite-allocatedfrequency and the second satellite-allocated frequency, wherein thedirectional subscriber antenna has a main axis directed northward andthe directional terrestrial antenna has a main axis directed southwardand wherein the directional subscriber antenna and the directionalterrestrial antenna are aligned to mitigate interference withnon-terrestrial signals; positioning a plurality of proximalnon-subscriber antennas in a direction to avoid interference with thedirectional terrestrial antenna at the terrestrial provider site; andprocessing at the terrestrial provider site the terrestrial signals intoan output.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising transmittingterrestrial signals from the directional terrestrial antenna to thesubscriber.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein said method provides thesubscriber with interactive television.
 13. A method for transmittingterrestrial signals from a primary provider site to a plurality ofsecondary provider sites, which comprises: transmitting the terrestrialsignals from a primary directional terrestrial antenna at the primaryprovider site to the plurality of secondary provider sites at a firstsatellite-allocated frequency and a second satellite-allocatedfrequency; receiving the terrestrial signals from the primarydirectional terrestrial antenna at a secondary directional terrestrialantenna at each of the plurality of secondary provider sites at thefirst satellite-allocated frequency and the second satellite-allocatedfrequency, said primary directional terrestrial antenna and each of saidsecondary directional terrestrial antennas being aligned to mitigateinterference with satellite signals; and receiving from a plurality ofsubscriber antennas the terrestrial signals from the primary directionalantennas and one or more of the secondary directional terrestrialantennas at the first satellite-allocated frequency and the secondsatellite-allocated frequency, at a plurality of subscriber locations;wherein the first satellite-allocated frequency is selected from a rangeof frequencies including: 11.7-12.2 GHz, 17.3-17.8 GHz and 41.0-42.5GHz, and is reused by the one or more of the primary directionalterrestrial antenna and the secondary directional terrestrial antenna.14. The method of claim 13, further comprising transmitting theterrestrial signals from the secondary directional terrestrial antennato one or more additional secondary directional terrestrial antenna atone or more additional secondary provider sites.
 15. The method of claim13, further comprising transmitting the terrestrial signals from thesecondary directional terrestrial antenna to a subscriber antenna at asubscriber location.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:transmitting the terrestrial signals to one or more additional secondarydirectional terrestrial antenna at one or more additional secondaryprovider sites from the secondary directional terrestrial antenna; andtransmitting to the subscriber location from the one or more additionalsecondary directional terrestrial antenna the terrestrial signals. 17.The method of claim 16, wherein the terrestrial signals are received atthe subscriber location after being directly or indirectly transmittedfrom the secondary directional terrestrial antenna to one or moreadditional secondary directional terrestrial antenna.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein terrestrial signals are transmitted from a subscriberantenna at a subscriber location to the secondary directionalterrestrial antenna or the one or more additional secondary directionalterrestrial antenna.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein terrestrialsignals are transmitted from the secondary directional terrestrialantenna to the primary directional terrestrial antenna.